Please join us on Saturday afternoon, January 11, 2020, from 1-4 pm for an Open House at the Parsonage. Come over at any point during that time, arriving when you can and leaving when you must, for a time of fellowship and light refreshments.
Prayer Shawl Gathering
The first Prayer Shawl gathering of the New Year will be Wednesday, January 22, at 10 am at Judy Hatfield’s house. After the busyness of the past month, it will be nice to have a relaxing morning of knitting, conversation, and tea and coffee and goodies. All are welcome to join us even if just for one time. There is no commitment. We have yarn, needles, and directions here if you would like to knit. If you have questions, need direction, or just want more information, call me Judy Hatfield at 464-3458.
Youth Group News
Family Movie Night
Join us in watching Abominable on January 11th. “Three teenagers must help a Yeti return to his family while avoiding a wealthy man and a zoologist who want it for their own needs.” Doors open at 6:30pm and the movie starts at 7:00pm.
Joyful Noise
What a joy to hear our youngest singers in worship on the second Sunday of Advent – AND to have their families in the church that day as well! We are always happy to welcome new singers ages 3-5. Please contact Barbara Daley (464-5239; bdaley@tds.net) for more information.
The Scene
The SCENE (grades 1-5) met on Thursday, December 19. Many thanks to Hadley Cooper’s family for providing our afternoon snack. We sang Christmas songs, made Christmas cards, and played a fun Christmas game. Our next meeting is Thursday, January 23 from 330-5 PM. Please contact Jean Crowley (464-4013; jcrowley@gsinet.net) or Barbara Daley (464-5239; bdaley@tds.net for more information.
RBA
December was a busy month for RBA. The last meeting of the year was our Christmas party and gift exchange at Barbara’s house on a snowy no-school day. LOTS of food to eat, great and thoughtful gifts, and a fun time for our last time together in 2019. And in the midst of all of that, we were thrilled to get the news that we were awarded a grant from the United Church of Christ Strengthen the Church fund to help with the expenses of our DC trip, as well as the Smith Church trustees voting to pay for the rental of our van for the trip. We SO appreciate all the support we get from all of you! Please contact Jenna Vaughan (910-709-6132; jennakaylewis1996@gmail.com), Tyler Vaughan (491-4126; tylerrayvaughan@gmail.com) or Barbara Daley (464-5239; bdaley@tds.net) for more information.
RBA Shares of Stock Fundraiser
RBA is beginning their major fundraiser, which we hope will substantially reduce the individual costs of our road trip/mission trip to Washington DC on February 21-26, 2020. As we have done in the past, we will again be selling shares of stock in our upcoming mission trip. This has been a fantastic fundraiser for us in the past and we look forward to a repeat of that great fundraising.
By purchasing shares in our RBA Corporation, you will be supporting an incredible, transforming experience for our church community’s junior high youth – in addition to realizing firsthand the benefits of helping others, they will also have the opportunity to experience Washington DC, an area of the country where most of our RBA youth have not yet traveled.
Shares of stock are being sold for $10 each – feel free to buy as many shares as you like! Shareholders will receive a stock certificate for the shares they have purchased, a personalized postcard written by an RBA member while on the trip, and an invitation to the Shareholders’ Banquet in March (we will prepare a delicious meal while sharing our experiences of our road trip/mission trip- only shareholders will be admitted free), and our undying gratitude to you for making this trip possible and for showing our young people how vital they are to our church family and to our world.
Those of you who have attended the shareholders’ banquets in the past will attest to the fact that it is a great experience to listen to the youth talk so enthusiastically about their mission work.
Please fill out a form and drop it off (checks made payable to RBA) at coffee hour, mail it to Smith Memorial Congregational Church, PO Box 672, Hillsboro, NH 03244, attn. RBA, or give it to Barbara Daley, Jenna or Tyler Vaughan, or any RBA member.